A Strategic Hire for the Braves
Justin Patrick is set to lead the Olentangy girls basketball team after the board gave its final approval on July 2, a move that caps a rapid rise for a coach whose name has become synonymous with winning in central Ohio.
Patrick arrives after a four‑year stint at Westerville Central, where he guided the Warriors to two district runner‑up finishes and a league championship while transforming a 9‑11 squad into a 17‑6 contender the following year.
His playing pedigree adds another layer of credibility: a two‑time NAIA All‑American at Shawnee State, followed by professional stints in the United States and with the AEK Basketball Club in Sweden, experiences that have shaped his tactical outlook.
Patrick will replace Klarke Ransome, who departed to head the women’s program at Ohio Dominican University after a six‑year tenure that produced a 131‑25 record and two consecutive Division I regional appearances.
Athletic director Jonny Henesy highlighted the hire as a continuation of Olentangy’s upward trajectory, noting that key players such as Kareena Agrawal, Payton Kolberg and Ava Alexander will return to bolster the roster.
The Braves, who have been regional runners‑up each of the past two seasons under Ransome, now look to build on that foundation with a coach whose blend of playing experience, collegiate success and community ties promises continuity and ambition.